Destination Guide: Golf on the Monterey Peninsula

By Staff

The small Monterey Peninsula beach community only has a population of 30,000, but during the summer months it receives thousands more vacationers. They come for the beachfront resorts, great golf courses, literary landmarks, water sports and nature preserves.

World famous Pebble Beach Golf Links is located on the southeast side of the Monterey Peninsula.

There are some 25 golf courses in Monterey County and the area was has been named the world's top golf destination by a Golf Digest survey. There also are several museums, and kayaking, scuba diving, hang gliding, whale watching and fishing are all options on the beach.

What kind of golf is the Monterey Peninsula known for?

The Monterey Peninsula is home to the world's most beautiful and famous beach golf courses. Home to courses like Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and the Links at Spanish Bay, it's impossible to go wrong near the beach on the Monterey Peninsula.

Other, less expensive options abound inland. The Carmel Valley holds many more world-class courses. The peninsula is also home to the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi, Del Monte Golf Course.

Where are the best golf courses located?

Pebble Beach, on the Southeast side of the peninsula, is home to the world's most famous golf. Pacific Grove makes up the tip of the peninsula and Monterey is to the West. First-rate golf courses are spread throughout these towns and in surrounding cities like Carmel and Salinas. A short drive around Monterey Bay will bring you to Santa Cruz where several more courses are located.

What courses do each of these towns offer?

Pebble Beach is home to Pebble Beach Golf Links, the granddaddy of American golf courses. Pebble Beach Resort also features Spyglass Hill Golf Course and The Links at Spanish Bay. Poppy Hills Golf Course is just down the road. Del Monte Golf Course and Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club are in Monterey, while Pasatiempo Golf Club is in Santa Cruz.

Monterey Peninsula transportation

The Monterey Peninsula Airport only receives flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix so a drive from San Jose or the Bay Area might be necessary for some visitors. If you do take a plane, the airport offers several national car rental services.

Located about 60 miles south of San Jose, the Monterey Peninsula is tucked away from major Interstate highways. If you aren't in a hurry, try the Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) from the north or south to get to Monterey. Highway 101 also runs from Los Angeles to San Jose and offers an exit to Monterey through Salinas.